Adventure on
the High Seas
Exploration and the Thirst for Science
Review by Daniel Muniz
I tend to consider myself a history buff
however I am very picky about what I like to read. I have absolutely
no interest in dull geeky prose nor will I waste my time with
sensational docudrama fiction that is better suited for a Hollywood
script.
But while strolling down the aisles of Barnes and Nobles, I
thought I would take a chance in a book that looked rather
promising such as Peter’s Aughton’s Endeavour: The Story of Captain
Cook's First Great Epic Voyage.
And I was well-rewarded because Endeavor is a compelling
fascinating narrative that has a little bit of everything in it,
especially for the history buffs.
It covered discovery, science, geography, seamanship, leadership,
and political intrigue.
The book begins with the British Admiralty
needing a brilliant experienced naval officer who understood
mathematics, science, and cartography in order to claim for the
crown, Terra Australis Incognita – meaning the unknown southern
land. The existence of this undiscovered continent was theorized by
the best minds in the Western world which provided the impetus to
set sail to the unknown.
James Cook was the right man at the right place except he wasn’t
of gentry’ birth.
The embarrassed Admiralty relented of their snobbery and rightly
chose Cook to lead this expedition under the guise of scientific
discovery. The voyage of the Endeavour maps New Zealand and the east
coast of Australia while providing crisp adventure on the high seas
in uncharted waters and on land with encounters of unknown cultures.
It also tackles the insatiable thirst of knowledge of the
physical universe since the voyage was also a scientific expedition.
The writing style is fresh and vivid and
covers so many subjects as well as the hardships of the sea.
After putting this book down, you will come away with a deeper
appreciation of exploration and of scientific discovery that is
woven into a masterful retelling of one of history’s great voyages.
This book is highly recommended and belongs in
your personal library. Its easy reading style makes learning about
history fun.
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